Last week, on October 29-30, I participated in a street photography workshop in Stockholm, led by Berkley based Eric Kim. Seven photographers from Germany, Switzerland, France and Sweden were my fellow students. After an inspiring talk on how to catch emotions in street photography Eric guided us in the streets and always pushed us closer to our subjects.
The first day´s mission was street portraits where we had asked for permission and the goal was not reached until we had gotten 10 No´s - harder than you could imagine, since people are very kind and many interesting characters in the street are keen on being recognized.
Serenity at Drottningatan, Stockholm
The second day was harder and we were asked to take candid shots maximum two arm lenghts away and minimum 10 exposures of each subject.
Portrait, Sergels Torg, Stockholm
I appreciated very much Eric´s easy way and the practical advice he gave us in the street. He motivated us to take some great shots as showcased here. Erics behind the scenes video is also on Youtube. I learnt a lot during the two days and some of my take aways are
By getting this close to the subjects and by carefully selecting backgrounds I can use color in my street photos
I don´t need to hate my flash if used carefully as a fill light
And most importantly, it is great to approach people in the street!
Later this year I will travel to New York city and there will be a couple of days with spare time for street photography. Even if street photography often is best done in a casual mode, I have tried to compile some great locations to make the best use of my time. The result gathered from my groups on Facebook and other web sorces can be found on this clickable Google map
The Stockholm Photo marathon was a popular event a couple of decades ago. In 2014 it was resurrected with some 350 participants. The rules are simple: 24 themes to be captured over 24 hours and in a specific order. Every four hours four themes were given at six different locations across town.
The themes were a challenging mix: Stockholm Foto marathon, Hand made, We all start as kids, Haircut, Summer love, Just enough, Ocean, Teenager in town, Party, Queer, In the back seat, The shady side, Enlightened, Better late than never, Dude, Spaceship, Work, What time is it, On th move, Meeting point, Old and new, Slussen and My participation number.
After 24 hours a memory card with 24 photos (un-edited straight out of camera JPEGs) was handed in by each of the 244 participants that actually fullfilled. I was exhausted physically but mainly mentally after keeping my legs and mind going for a full day and night and without any sleep.
I decided early on to try to keep my photos together as a series of black & white street photos. You can see them here. These photos are slightly edited, since the JPEGs from my camera were a bit on the dark side.
It all started back in 2011 as a discussion around the dinner table, with the "soup-team" : four Vaxholm families inviting each other for dinner (preferably soup) on a weekly basis. We had been doing this since the nineteen nineties, and we were discussing new challenges and adventures. One bold suggestion was to climb Mt Blanc (4 810 m) and the enthusiasm was high!
Swedens highest peak Kebnekaise
After some reconsideration we realized that training was probably a good thing and in 2012 we went for the somewhat easier task to climb Swedens highest mountain Kebnekaise (2 104 m). The hike was done end of July 2012 and we used Kebnekaise mountain lodge (fjällstation) as base camp. The first attempt taking the eastern route over Björlings glacier was aborted due to heavy rain and winds just a couple of hundred meters below the summit. The next day the weather was better and instead we took the longer western route over Vierremvare (1 711 m) and Kaffedalen. The summit was reached after six hours. Unfortunately the peak was all covered in low clouds, but the team was happy. Another five hours later we were back at the base camp celebrating with Champagne. Photos from the Keb tour to be seen here
View from Vierremvare (1 711 m) down towards the lake Singijavrrit (953 m)
Norways highest peaks Galdhöpiggen and Glittertind
Next on our list was to conquer Norway, or at least to reach Galdhöpiggen (2 469 m), tNorways highest mountain in beautiful Jotunheimen. In august 2013, we traveled by air and by car to reach the mountain lodge Spiterstulen at 4 pm , prepared for immediate ascent knowing that dusk would set in only five hours later. We met many Norwegians on their way down as we hurried up the steep mountain. A short snow and ice passage close to the top was difficult without crampons, but finally we made it to the peak at 7.30 pm. The descent was done initially at dusk and the last couple of hours in complete darkness. We were prepared with headlights and the now traditional Champagne tasted fantastic back in Spiterstulen.
After a day of recovery and as a bonus we were also able to reach the neighboring peak Glittertind, Norways second highest mountain 2 465 m including the glacier ice that covers the top. Here crampons were really ncessary for the last few hundred meters on the peak. Luckily we could borrow simple ones from the guides at Spiterstulen. Photos from the two hikes are found here.
Descent from Galdhöpiggen
Finlands highest peak Halti
Finland's Halti (1 324 m) or Halde Fjell (1 361 m) in Norway is a modest peak on the border between the two countries. It is easier reached from the Norwegian side and in July 2014 we flew in to Tromsö to what we believed would be a simpler task than our previous adventures. Halti is very far north on latitude 70 degrees and we knew that we would hit snow during our ascent, but not already at ~600 m above sea level. The gravel road was not cleared so we had to abandon the car, the long approach had to be taken by foot instead and suddenly this turned out to be our longest walk so far.
There is no path or trail to the peak and the closer we got the wether turned more and more gray with hard wind and some rain. The first goal was the Norwegian peak and without GPS it would have been difficult to find the actual summit. From there it was downhill a few kms to Finlands highest point. We hurried down from the windswept peak, but this time celebration could not wait and we cheered with style: Champagne and canapes on the mountain!
The descent was over large fields of snow that most of the time would carry our weight, but snow shoes would have been preferred. All-in-all with the long approach back and forth we returned to the Norwegian Fjord Lyngen after 13 hours and 40 kms walking distance.
On the other side of the Fjord is a magic landscape: The Lyngen Alps with many peaks around 2 000 m. Here we got a great hiking day as we walked up to the closest glacier from Lyngseidet, under warm and sunny skies. The contrast to the photos on Halti the day before could not be larger. See the adventure here
Crossing a glacier creek
Swedens highest vertikal drop Akka
Akka (or Áhkká in Samian) is with its double peaks 2010 and 2016 m only the 8th highest in Sweden, but from the start of the climb at lake Akkajaure to the top the vertical drop is 1563 m, which is the highest in the country. A new challenge! In addition there is a very narrow and steep part "haket" between the lower northwest peak and the main peak, that requires belaying to be passed securely.
The approach in August 2014 was by flight to Gällivare, bus to Ritsem and a small boat on Akkajaure to Änonjalme, close to the Akka mountain cabins. The goal was then to set a base camp east of the creek Njirrandjhokka. The 8 km walk seemed easy, but a shortcut through the dense underbrush, instead of taking the longer path along the lake, turned out to be both hard and wet. The ford over the creek was also adventureous as the rapid water was knee-deep. We were rewarded by a great dinner and a fantastic sunset over Akkajaure.
The climb the day after was done in mainly good weather but dark clouds gathered on the horizon, which made us keep a good pace. We passed under a couple of glaciers and up the stone fields to the first Northwest peak, with the cloud base still above us.
After a short photo session at the cairn and overlooking the great views we took courage and tied us in to pass "haket" to the main peak. Sharp and very airy. The last climb to the main peak was short and steep but finally we made it! The descent was without complications and we were back to the base camp at the lake after all-in-all 12 hours. Here Champagne was served before dinner. Some of us even took a dip in the freezing cold creek. Photos from the Akka climb are found here
In a course I am taking at Umeå University one of the assignments is to change our typical Modus Operandi. I have taken the opportunity to go more into abstract, close-ups and to work with artificial light.
A short stroll in the neighborhood (Vaxholm, Bogesund) turned out to become a seven hour photo walk. Spring is here, it is still a bit chilly and the green is yet to come. At a cape called Broknäs, but also named "the Paradise" by the locals I stumbled upon a seal pup. This is the first encounter of seals I have had during 25 years in Vaxholm. The pup seemed abandoned, but I have read that the parents can leave them while hunting for food. He was totally unfearful, let me patiently photograph him and even talked to me!
The day after, I returned at day break, but he was now gone hopfeully full and united with his mother.
See more photos here http://contextphoto.com/albums/spring-at-bogesund/
